Recent Advances in durability of superhydrophobic self-cleaning technology: A critical review

Abstract

Self-cleaning concept has achieved significant attention because of their distinct features and inclusive range of probable applications in various fields. Inspired from the lotus effect; the self-cleaning properties showed by the leaves due to the micro and nanoscopic design which reduces the water droplets adhesion to the surface, self-cleaning technology (SCT) plays a significant role in the current time in various applications. One of its special features is its ability to keep the surface clean and maintain the self-cleaning property stable under severe environmental conditions over an intended period of time. This review introduces an overview of the fabrication techniques for superhydrophobic coating and self-cleaning (SC) applications in various fields. The SCT has applications in areas such as textiles, cotton-fabrics garments, buildings construction, lavatories, domestic-automobiles windows, architectural heritage, and photovoltaic and solar cells. As SCT has wide range of applications, there is a need for a deeper understanding of the resilience and preparation of SC surfaces. Therefore, we have discussed the major applications of SCT in building, toilet, mineral paints for architectural heritage, photovoltaic devices or solar cell, fabrics or textile industry in this review. Apart from this, we have also added information regarding the techniques of SC superhydrophobic surfaces and flexible self-cleaning materials and their applications. SCT naturally suffers from great issues in their durability and stability. As the durability of SCT is significant in daily human life, it is intensively reflected in this literature survey. Furthermore, the ongoing progress and potential efforts in the recent innovative applications of SCT along with the critical conclusions, forthcoming views, and obstacles on the field of the durability of SCT are discussed in the presented survey.